Complete Anthology [BOX SET] [IMPORT]

Mamas & Papas

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 20, 2004)
• Original Release Date: January 4, 2005
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Universal UK
• ASIN: B0002QFFNE
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #96,087 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
For the first time - the definitive Mamas and Papas career anthology, presented in a 4CD digibook set. The anthology features all the Mamas and Papas complete studio albums - "If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears", " The Mamas and the Papas", "The Mamas and The Papas Deliver", "International Monterey Pop Festival" (live), "People Like Us", alongside the corresponding single releases, rare tracks and studio /rehearsal takes. Disc four is a disc of rarities & previously unissued ecordings, including live performances from US television, solo tracks from each of the band and tracks from the 'Barry McGuire with The Mamas & Papas' album, which features many early versions of tracks that would later be hits for the group in their own right. Compiled by US expert Jim Pierson and with detailed liner notes by journalist Paul Grein, this set features lavish 72 page full colour booklet with over 100 photos, previously unseen material, a full discography, track annotations and foreword from 'Mama' Michelle Phillips. The Anthology provides not only a must-have set for existing fans but a superb exploration of the bands music for those more recently drawn to their timeless blend of honeyed west-coast harmonies, fusing pop rock and folk matched by few in their wake. Island. 2004. * No US release is scheduled.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Classic Box Set Of 2005!, March 19, 2005

By	Martin A Hogan "Marty From SF" (San Francisco, CA. (Hercules)) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

You need no other CD by the "Mamas and the Papas" if you own this 4 CD set of 101 songs. It is ALL inclusive. Not one song is missed in their history. Some of the studio clatter can be annoying, but the big fans won't mind it. It is the equivalent to the sixties type version of `ABBA's" box set, "Thanks You For The Music" in its inclusiveness.

Some of the highlights are the Beatles covers as well as the `live' versions on the "Ed Sullivan Show" and the "Monterrey Music Festival" (completely arranged and invented by John Phillips!).

Don't freak out - all songs have been digitally remastered and the sound is fantastic! Mind you, even in the sixties, their production team made an extra effort to accentuate the stereo sound (try listening to "California Dreamin'" with jus the left channel and then just the right channel). It's like two different songs, which should not be a surprise, as John Phillips was a master at vocal arraignments. I only wish they had recorded John Philips song "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)".

The 74-page booklet and 100 photos is a wonderful addition in a time when box sets can be terribly short on information. This is the box set of the year. Enjoy!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VOICES LIKE THEIRS , September 13, 2005

By	MarkeN "Poyn" (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews

Once again, a reason to despair for the questionable state of affairs known as the American music industry of today and it's quest for youthful, talentless hacks who need to be filtered, edited, vocodered, sampled, sweetened, fixed. Why, oh why, did this unparalled, marvelous set have to be compiled & released in the U.K.? The British arm of Universal is even willing to give so much room & accuracy to the American chart & release histories, not only of the band in it's regrettably all too brief period of existence, but of the subsequent individual careers of Cass, Michelle, Denny & John. Many kudos to them.

The effortless, seemingly pure harmonies, let alone the individual talents have had an unrivalled, eternally lasting, effect on anyone who loves, or even remotely gives a hoot, about what vocal music can be. The beautiful remastering of EVERYTING included in the lavish set is beyond reproach. Yes, even "People Like Us." The long ridiculed, yet not at all out of step with the period it was recorded sounds exemplary in this set. Frankly, if anything is out of step with this collection it is the Barry McGuire tracks that finish off the forth disc, but with the unmistakable vocals that back him, it is easy to forgive their inclusion.

The book is equally incredible. Previously unseen photos & artwork abound, recording & release details. Unlike so many "so-called" anthologies of more than a decade, the "digipack/book" concept is meant to be accessed, read, poured over. No threat of the book falling apart over time from poor binding, or getting lost if not put back in a jewel case immediately.

As a personal recommendation, it would be well worth any effort to follow this with the recent releases of the respective solo works from Hip-O of both Cass & Michelle. Hopefully, someday, the same will happen for the long ignored solo works of Denny & John, not to mention the difficult to find RCA releases of Cass.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I'd love to leave a five-star review..., November 26, 2005

By	Charles - Music Lover (Phoenix, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews

but...the single version of "Creeque Alley," the one with a horn-blowing free-for-all, is NOT in the collection. Thank goodness I still have my scratched-up 45rpm... Other than that, all six albums, except for "A Gathering of Flowers," are wholly-represented. Some dialogue and rehearsal cuts from that two-LP anthology are included, though.

There is an entire disc of rarities and solo cuts from each group member. Unfortunately, the songs representing Cass are the same-old, run-of-the-mill cuts ("It's Getting Better," "Make Your Own Kind of Music" and "New World Coming"). What about "Talkin' To Your Toothbrush," or "You Know Who I Am?" Or even "Burn Your Hatred?" Fortunately, the theme from "Doctors' Wives" is included. I never heard it before. (What we need to hear next is the theme from "L'Amour.") I've heard some, but not all, solo recordings of Michelle, John and Denny, so I was pleased with the cuts representing their work.

I know that the group members and many fans hated "People Like Us," but I have to admit that I always loved that album!! The notes indicate that that recording may have hurt the careers of the individual group members, that they never made the charts on their own accord again. Sorry, but I don't agree. Had Cass lived longer, she would definitely have made the charts again. She was in the process of finding herself as an artist. The other group members did not try to find solo success beyond a limited number of recordings, and each ultimately pursued a different direction.

Summing up, it is amazing that this foursome created such an awesome body of work that was so small, yet so affecting. Their harmonies were amazing! And their material, even the filler and contractually-obligated, is worth listening to today, 40 years after "California Dreamin'" was released.